4 Home Improvement Projects Mom Would Love for Mother's Day

This Mother's Day, skip the flowers and card and give your mom a gift she'll enjoy for years to come. No, we're not talking about jewelry or a framed photo — we're talking hands-on projects that directly improve your mom's home and life. For DIY home improvements that will blow your mom away, try one of these projects for Mother's Day.

(Image via Orange Coast Interior Design)

Create a "Woman Cave"

A woman cave doesn't have to be the inverse of a man cave, covered in pink and frills — unless that's your mom's style! The purpose of a woman cave is to give your mother a room where she can relax, pursue hobbies, and enjoy "me" time. Find an underutilized room in your parents' home where you can clean up and carve out space. If you can't find an entire room to claim, look for rooms that can pull double-duty, like a guest bedroom. Outfit it with artwork and furniture to suit your mom's taste, an essential oil diffuser to set the mood, and gear for all her favorite activities. Grab a drill and mount shelving units onto the walls so your mom can store all her hobby supplies in one space without being overcome by clutter.

(Plantation Park model home, by DSLD Homes)

Refresh the Kitchen

A full kitchen remodel is a major home improvement that can require thousands of dollars and skilled labor, but there's a lot you can do to upgrade a kitchen without calling in the pros. To give your mom's kitchen a DIY facelift, focus on the smaller details. Think task lighting, faucets, cabinet hardware, and storage solutions like hanging pot racks, pull-out organizers, and vintage jars for dry storage (we love these from Rae Dunn — very trendy!). While they may not make a huge visual impact, small changes like these make mom more eager to use her spruced-up kitchen. Pair these kitchen upgrades with a chef subscription box, or these other gift ideas for the active, on-the-go mom!

Upgrade Her Outdoor Living

Don't let the indoors get all the attention. Give your mom the gift of a chic outdoor living space where she can relax and entertain. Laying a flagstone patio is an easy way to turn a patch of lawn into a cozy sitting area. Furnish it with stylish patio furniture that can stand up to the elements, and pair it with a freestanding fire pit or chiminea to extend the season. A trickling fountain or birdbath adds a soothing sound, while over-sized planters keep guests close to nature. Define the boundaries of the outdoor living space by flanking the patio with evergreen plants and install low-voltage landscape lighting to light the path between home and patio.

Organize the Garage

Cleaning out the garage isn't the most exciting Mother's Day gift, but if your parents are parking in the driveway because their garage is packed with junk, it just might be the perfect present. Spend a weekend transforming your mom's garage from a clutter catch-all into an open, organized space. Install a pegboard wall to keep hand tools organized and accessible, add wall-mounted shelving to free floor space, and claim the boxes of your own stuff that your parents have been hanging on to. The goal is to get everything up and off the floor so there's room to park. If you need more storage solutions, check out Family Handyman's guide to garage storage. 

Your mom's home is her pride and joy — after you, of course! This year, move it one step closer to her dream home by giving the gift of home improvement. While these projects will take a little more planning than a trip to the florist, the look on your mom's face will make all your hard work worth the effort.

Happy Mother's Day!

— (Guest post via DIY Mama)